You’re not alone in thinking that every trip to the car repair shop costs more than it did the last time. Consumers now spend an average of $838 fixing their cars, according to recent data from Kelley Blue Book’s parent company, Cox Automotive, which maintains a database of auto repair and replacement costs.
While unplanned auto repairs can make a big dent in your bank account, fixing your car is often less expensive than the monthly payment for a new vehicle. Keeping up with routine maintenance, including regular oil changes, avoids costly repairs and can help keep your car running to 100,000 miles and beyond.
Below, we list costs for 12 common auto repairs and parts replacements. We’ll also share long-term out-of-pocket repair cost estimates for some of the cars, trucks, and SUVs with the lowest 5-year cost of ownership.
- Common Car Repairs and Replacement Services
- Average Repair Costs by Vehicle
- Bottom Line on Car Repair Costs
Common Car Repairs and Replacement Services
Fix your car promptly. Never hesitate to get your vehicle to the shop if something just doesn’t seem right or the check engine light prompts you. Car trouble rarely gets better on its own. Review Kelley Blue Book’s Service Advisor when something goes wrong with your car. You can research common problems, learn what you should expect to pay for repairs, check for recalls, and see if your vehicle might need a major repair in the next 12 months.
Kelley Blue Book’s service and repair data come from actual repair orders across all models and all states, and it helps predict future costs for similar services. The cost range estimates come from data that doesn’t include repairs or maintenance completed at independent repair shops or if the vehicle owner bought the parts and did the work themselves.
Average Cost for Common Car Repairs
| Repair/Service | Average Cost Range |
| Alignment | $168.66 – $197.64 |
| Alternator replacement | $754.07 – $849.96 |
| Brake pad and rotor replacement | $548.65 – $629.04 |
| Evaporative emissions (EVAP) purge control valve replacement | $326.99 – $384.42 |
| Fuel injector replacement | $1,127.30 – $1,250.84 |
| Fuel pump replacement | $1,125.46 – $1,246.75 |
| Mass air flow sensor replacement | $449.48 – $521.42 |
| Power steering pump replacement | $844.11 – $943.19 |
| Spark plug replacement | $368.60 – $431.25 |
| Starter replacement | $743.87 – $837.19 |
| Thermostat replacement | $744.90 – $837.83 |
| Tire pressure monitoring sensor replacement | $321.21 – $376.61 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book data
Average Repair Costs by Vehicle
The automobiles listed below have the lowest 5-year cost-to-own expenses in their respective categories. Vehicles are model year 2024 unless marked with an asterisk, which indicates 2025 models. Here’s how the cars fare with out-of-pocket repair costs.
Luxury Cars
- Tesla Model 3: $2,510
- Jaguar XF: $1,188
- Volvo S90: $1,488
Entry-Level Luxury Cars
- Acura Integra*: $1,087
- Lexus ES: $1,152
- BMW 2 Series: $2,071
Luxury Midsize SUV/Crossover
- Cadillac LYRIQ*: $1,328
- Buick Enclave: $1,950
- Cadillac XT5*: $1,276
Sporty Compact Car
- Mini Hardtop 2-Door: $1,426
- Honda Civic: $1,667
- Volkswagen Golf GTI: $1,581
High-End Luxury Car
- Mercedes-Benz EQE: $2,510
- Lexus LS: $1,303
- Lucid Air: $2,510
Luxury Sports Car
- Audi S3: $1,822
- Lexus RC: $1,189
- BMW 235i Gran Coupe: $3,113
Luxury High-Performance Car
- BMW M3: $1,516
- Audi S6: $1,789
- Porsche Taycan: $1,436
Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover
- Lexus NX: $1,319
- Buick Envision: $1,846
- Tesla Model Y: $2,510
Midsize SUV/Crossover
- Subaru Outback: $1,768
- Subaru Ascent: $1,882
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid: $1,742
Luxury Full-Size SUV/Crossover
- Infiniti QX80: $712
- GMC Hummer EV: $1,906
- Lexus LX: $1,293
Full-Size Pickup Truck
- Toyota Tundra CrewMax: $1,713
- GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab: $1,781
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab: $1,763
Subcompact Car
- Mitsubishi Mirage: $683
- Toyota GR86: $1,734
- Nissan Versa: $1,815
Compact Car
- Toyota Corolla: $1,680
- Volkswagen Jetta: $1,231
- Kia Soul: $659
Midsize Car
- Subaru Legacy: $1,758
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: $1,726
- Toyota Camry: $1,656
High-Performance Car
- Chevrolet Corvette: $2,527
- Chevrolet Camaro: $3,086
- Nissan GT-R: $2,538
Sports Car
- Toyota GR86: $1,734
- Subaru BRZ: $1,804
- Ford Mustang: $1,872
Compact SUV/Crossover
- Toyota RAV4: $1,695
- Subaru Forester: $1,784
- Honda CR-V: $1,667
Midsize Pickup
- Ford Maverick: $1,895
- Toyota Tacoma XtraCab: $1,693
- Hyundai Santa Cruz: $667
Minivan
- Toyota Sienna: $1,680
- Honda Odyssey: $1,667
- Kia Carnival: $680
Full-Size SUV/Crossover
- Chevrolet Tahoe: $1,817
- Ford Expedition: $1,885
- Toyota Sequoia: $1,781
Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: $1,726
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid: $1,680
- Kia Niro: $686
Electric Vehicle
- Nissan Leaf: $1,724
- Mini Hardtop 2 Door: $1,426
- Hyundai Kona Electric: $734
Subcompact SUV/Crossover
- Subaru Crosstrek: $1,807
- Hyundai Venue: $680
- Chevrolet Trax: $1,849
Luxury Subcompact SUV/Crossover
- Lexus UX: $1,311
- Volvo XC40*: $1,727
- Audi Q3: $1,505
Bottom Line on Car Repair Cost
The final bill to fix your car isn’t immune to inflation. According to recent Kelley Blue Book data, the national average cost for all types of repairs to all makes and models is $838. However, repairing your vehicle is often cheaper than one monthly loan payment for a new car. Proactive maintenance prevents costlier issues while extending vehicle lifespan. Prioritize routine care and swift repairs to minimize long-term financial impacts.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication. Chantel Wakefield contributed to the report.
